Yes we know, it’s not always sunny and 70 in Huntington Beach. At some point we have to take off the sandals and slip into a pair of closed toe shoes or boots. Leather boots are a staple for fall and winter. When you buy leather goods, and specifically leather boots, you commit to caring for them in the best way. If you take the time to do it, your boots will last forever. You can care for your leather boots in three steps: cleaning, condition, and polishing.
The goal is to have your boots longer than one season. One way to ensure that happens is to clean them regularly. Here are a few easy ways to keep your leather boots clean so they will last for several seasons.
Cleaning Boots
When cleaning your boots, the first and most important thing to do is to loosen and remove any surface debris. This debris, like dirt and salt, can be harmful to the leather, so if it’s buffed into the boot, you run the risk of ruining your shoe. Once the loose debris is removed, use a horsehair brush to buff the surface of your boot and remove any stubborn substances.
Next, take a rag and swirl it in a bowl of soapy water until it starts to lather. Test the soap on a small part of the shoe to make sure that it won’t cause a permanent stain. Run the rag across the entire surface of the boot, paying attention to any areas that are stained or need extra scrubbing. Allow that to dry for at least 10 minutes. You don’t have to use soap each time you go to clean your boots, only if you notice that your shoes need a little extra cleaning.
Conditioning Boots
Knowing how to condition leather boots is an essential step when you’re caring for them. Conditioners are useful for moisturizing the leather and keeping the fabric hydrated and soft. Once every 1-3 months, break out your conditioning kit.
When you’re ready to condition your boot, it’s a good idea to, again, test a small spot on the shoe to make sure that the conditioner won’t discolor the leather. Work the conditioner over the boot and add more conditioner as needed. Conditioning may temporarily darken the shoe, but as it dries, the original color will show through.
Polishing Boots
Once a week, be sure to polish your leather boots to keep them moisturized and shiny throughout the winter. You can use either shoe cream to provide the boot with additional moisture and nourishment or a wax-based polish to give a more pronounced shine. Either way, it’s important to find a polish that matches the color of your boots as closely as possible.
Start with a small amount (a little goes a long way!) and add more polish as needed to make them shine. Another bonus of polishing your leather boots is that the polish creates a barrier between the boot and debris, which keeps them looking fresh for longer. After the polish is dry, give the shoes a brush with the brush you used to shine your boots with to provide them with a final buffing to expose even more shine.
